Wednesday, January 23, 2013

What is the role of political cartoons in society? Do they merely reflect public opinion or do they shape it? Should they in the first place?

Zulkiflee Anwar Haque (better known as Zunar) is Malaysia's most important political cartoonist right now. His books are banned. He has been arrested and persecuted for drawing political cartoons. He is partisan, has strong views about politics in Malaysia and provides interesting commentary about the state of things up north. Especially with the 13th General Elections coming up in April.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Happening this week at University of Sydney and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Organized by friends who did the Women Manga conferences in Singapore (2011) and Hanoi (2012). FSc will be there too.

While manga began as an art form specific to Japan, today a global boom in these Japanese style comics is underway. Ever increasing numbers of girls and women are participating as creators and consumers worldwide. In fact, women now dominate the realm of fan-created works, and non-Japanese comics for girls and women contribute significantly to the exploration of gender and sexuality. This program forms Day 3 of an international conference organised by the Women and Manga Project and hosted by the University of Sydney.

12.15 Lecture: Girl Power! Exhibiting girls manga
Professor Masami Toku, California State University
A presentation of the work of key authors of girls comics from the 1960s and 1970s as seen in the 2005–08 North American touring exhibition Girl Power! Girls comics from Japan